Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric should
be allowed to help choose the next Pope despite facing allegations of
inappropriate behaviour, the former archbishop of Westminster says.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor expressed sadness at the claims -
which have been denied - made against Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of
the church in Scotland.
Three priests and a former priest have complained to the Vatican
about behaviour towards them going back 30 years, according to the
Observer.
They are reported to be demanding Cardinal O'Brien's immediate
resignation.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor
said: "I was obviously very sad to hear that. The cardinal has denied
the allegations, so I think we will just have to see how that pans out.
There have been other cases which have been a great scandal to the
church over these past years. I think the church has to face up - has
faced up - to some of them very well indeed."
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said it was up to Cardinal O'Brien - who is
reported to have sought legal advice - "how he faces the allegations".
He pointed out that Cardinal O'Brien was due to retire when he turns 75 next month.
Asked whether the cardinal should still be able to go to the Vatican
to take part in the selection of Pope Benedict's successor, Cardinal
Murphy-O'Connor said: "That is up to Cardinal O'Brien to decide... it
will be up to him, and I think rightly so. The allegations have not been
proved in any way, so he will have to decide whether he wants to go."
The claims emerged just days after Cardinal O'Brien called for the
Catholic Church to end its celibacy rule for the priesthood. He said
that many priests struggle to cope with celibacy and should be allowed
to marry if they wish.
The cardinal is the only British Roman Catholic cleric able to vote
in the upcoming conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI
following his decision to resign.
He told the BBC: "I'd be very happy if
others had the opportunity of considering whether or not they could or
should be married. It's a free world and I realise that many priests have found it very
difficult to cope with celibacy as they lived out their priesthood, and
felt the need of a companion, of a woman, to whom they could get
married and raise a family of their own."